Adventure. visitmexico.com

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1 Adventure visitmexico.com

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3 With an extension of 756,000 square miles, Mexico offers everything that you could possibly dream of during a trip and much, much more. This is especially true if you are looking for unparalleled adventures. If you are brave, you will want to climb up to the snow that covers one of the highest peaks on the continent or explore a deep chasm filled with birds, ride down incredible rapids or climb steep rock faces. But in addition to extreme sports, there are also nature activities for the whole family: from an unforgettable walk among migrating butterflies to encounters with the most impressive marine mammals or small turtles that visit our beaches to spawn. Enjoy a photo session with thousands of colorful birds or, better still, take a train ride alongside seemingly bottomless canyons, visit indigenous communities, sample the flavors of every corner of Mexico and make this an unforgettable trip. Here are some ideas for surprising experiences in an incomparable country.

4 The Copper Canyon Covers 23,000 square miles Estimated to be four times larger than the Grand Canyon in Arizona. BREATHTAKING VIEWS THE COPPER CANYON IN CHIHUAHUA Marvel at the breathtaking landscape aboard one of the last remaining passenger trains in Mexico that travels along the edge of a deep canyon. Stop at Divisadero to run the zip line in the Barrancas del Cobre Adventure Park. Then, explore the trails, go horseback riding or descend the impressive slopes by mountain bike. You can also immerse yourself in the Baseachi and Cusarare waterfalls before camping at Lake Arareko. Are you ready to descend 4,500 feet, and then climb back up? Watch the Raramuri ultra-marathon, a 65-mile excursion along the Sinforosa, the imposing cliffs of the region. 4 5

5 ON THE LAKESHORE WITH THE SPLENDID MONARCHS MICHOACÁN You cannot claim to know Mother Earth if you have not witnessed the millions of monarch butterflies that congregate in Ocampo and Angangueo: a phenomenal sea of black and orange that has transformed the lives of many people. Jump into the saddle and ride the Don Vasco Route on horseback on trails dating back to the 16th century, toward remote lakes and waterfalls. Once in Zirahuén, change to a kayak, a raft or a bicycle to experience an unforgettable wild lakeshore adventure. Monarch butterflies Travel 2,400 miles from Canada to Mexico Can be seen in six municipalities of Michoacán and four in the State of Mexico between November and March. 7

6 LIFE AND ADVENTURE IN THE PRIMEVAL JUNGLE CHIAPAS In the Arco del Tiempo eco-tourism area (designated a unesco World Heritage site), you can explore 150-foot deep canyons or take a raft along the Rio La Venta to a jungle camp. Visit Lacandona indigenous settlements to learn about how life is surrounded by wonderful and impressive nature. And look to the skies to see the bright feathers of the birds, such as the scarlet macaw. It is definitely not about simple bird-watching. Lacandona Jungle 1,000,000 hectares of tropical forest The spectacular Lacandona Jungle, or Selva Lacandona, is a vast tropical forest with the Usumacinta River running through it. 9 8

7 OCEAN TRIPS FROM THE SUBLIME TO THE EXTREME THE SEA OF CORTÉS Remote, eternal and surprising: where land, sea and sky meet. You can be in the water, up close, with magnificent whales beneath the waves and among millions of forms of underwater life. You can also go sea kayaking or play any extreme sport you could imagine and experience that adrenaline rush that you simply must feel. There are also real family adventures, even for the smallest explorers. World Heritage 244 islands, islets and coastal areas The islands and protected areas of the Sea of Cortés have been considered an official natural treasure since

8 MILLENNIAL GLOW, IN A WORLD AS OLD AS ETERNITY YUCATÁN Travel to Chichén Itzá to witness the glow of an ancient civilization. The flamingos in Celestún or Ría Lagartos paint a pink-colored world. Then, immerse yourself in a thousand magnificent cenotes: limestone caves as clear as crystal, perfect for swimming and surface or deep-water snorkeling. They are the portals to a spectacular subterranean world, impossible to find anywhere else. Ría Lagartos Up to 26,000 flamingos Ria Lagartos is a mangrove estuary and is home to the largest flamingo population in the country

9 THE HIGHEST PEAK AND SPECTACULAR RAPIDS VERACRUZ Pico de Orizaba 16,800 feet high The Pico de Orizaba, or Citlaltépetl ( mountain of the star ), is the third-highest mountain in North America. If you like adventure, you will not want to miss the Pico de Orizaba the highest volcano in Mexico and the third highest mountain in North America. To discover a little more of the mountainous landscapes of the state of Veracruz, venture into the deepest caves in the country and, if you are a brave traveler, go down into any of their challenging canyons and enjoy rappelling down their waterfalls. Then you can descend the Pescados, Actopan and Filobobos rivers in kayak or on a raft. Walk along majestic trails with your camera capturing a great variety of endemic birds and, once you get your breath back, we suggest one of the specialties of the state: a great cup of coffee

10 CAVING LIKE NOWHERE ELSE ON EARTH Sótano de las Golondrinas 1100 feet deep The Statue of Liberty would fit comfortably inside it. SAN LUIS POTOSÍ After visiting the Tamul waterfall by canoe, you can get your courage up to go rafting in the turquoise waters of the River Tampaón. The Micos cascades, with their seven waterfalls, are ideal for waterfall jumping and kayaking. The Puente de Dios is a spectacular water spring that formed a natural rock cave with impressive sunlight reflections. The Sótano de las Golondrinas is a natural phenomenon that allows visitors to observe thousands of white-collared swifts, as well as to go caving. Real de Catorce, a picturesque mining town, and Xilitla, with its surrealist garden built by Edward James, are unique in the world. 17

11 MUCH MORE THAN WILD BEASTS THE WILDLIFE OF QUINTANA ROO The magnificent coasts and mangrove forests in the state are much more than its wild beasts. Swim with the gentle whale sharks in Holbox, unsurpassable for meditation, or frolic with thousands of other playful species while you pass by in a kayak, snorkel or scuba dive. After all the fun, return something to Mother Earth by taking part in a study of flamingo chicks on Isla Pájaros at dawn. Isla Pájaros 150 bird species The Isla Pájaros (or Isla Morena) natural reserve is one of the most important in the country.

12 Monarch butterflies A total of 56,259 hectares The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, in the State of Mexico, is very close to Valle de Bravo. ALL-IN-ONE FUN VALLE DE BRAVO, STATE OF MEXICO A mere jump from Mexico City, Valle, as it is known, has something for everyone: adventurers, foodies and those who love to do nothing at all. Go rambling, launch yourself on a paraglider, go horseback riding or just look at the birds, and then go to the magnificent lake for water sports, sailing or just to relax. Go on a tour to see thousands of monarch butterflies. On returning to the town which still has the air of old Mexico you can find everything you need: from five-star restaurants, markets with organic products and gifts to welcoming B&Bs and glamorous boutique hotels

13 THE HYPERACTIVE SEA Parque Nacional Lagunas de Chacahua Three species of sea turtles lay their eggs on its beaches The Parque Nacional Lagunas de Chacahua is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna. PUERTO ESCONDIDO, OAXACA Surf in the sea like never before and submerge yourself into a relaxed pace, like being in another world. In Puerto Escondido, whose cosmopolitanism and relaxed atmosphere make it more fashionable than ever, discover beaches perfect for dominating the crests. On Zicatela, start your quest for waves at dawn and take a break on a perfect beach with the best seafood. A short distance away, in Mazunte, find protected turtles or camp at the Lagunas de Chacahua halfway along a beautiful beach in a completely natural setting. Or go to Huatulco, a privileged eco-tourism destination, which holds the EarthCheck Gold certificate as a sustainable destination

14 NO FEAR OF HEIGHTS NUEVO LEÓN Climb to heights of up to 1830 feet along the gray limestone faces of El Potrero Chico, one of the best climbing destinations in the world, for the best experience, guaranteed. At the wonderful Cañón Matacanes you can rappel down 90 feet or may take a dizzying 40-foot free-fall plunge. Don t miss the spectacular Chipitin waterfall. Never has being exhausted been so satisfying. Parque Nacional Cumbres de Monterrey 177,395 protected hectares The Parque Nacional Cumbres de Monterrey, one of the best places in the country for climbing, is a protected area in the Sierra Madre Oriental. 25

15 Lake Chapala 430 square miles THE LONG IMMACULATE COASTLINE The largest lake in the country was declared a Ramsar site in 2009; in other words, it is considered an Internationally Important Wetland. JALISCO Travel to the Costalegre, a string of beaches in whose waters you can do some diving, snorkeling or fishing, or just relax surrounded by the most spectacular scenery. Cross tropical fruit plantations and jungle areas on horseback or on a mountain bike, and from Barra de Navidad to Puerto Vallarta or vice versa discover hidden beaches, bays and estuaries teeming with migratory birds. Do not miss the enviable climate and scenery of Lake Chapala, the largest in Mexico, and visit Guachimontones, an ancient ceremonial center with conical buildings unique in the country, which still have many secrets waiting to be discovered.

16 Cozumel An area covering 180 square miles AN ANCIENT MAYAN ADVENTURE TULUM, PUNTA ALLEN, COZUMEL AND SIAN KA AN, QUINTANA ROO The third-largest island in Mexico, it is surrounded by coral reefs, part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second largest in the world. The cosmic mysteries hidden in the remains of ancient Mayan cities are the setting for a thousand more expeditions. For an experience capable of transforming your life, you can go on safari to find the tame manatees, fighting tapirs or even the most sublime inhabitant of this jungle: the sacred jaguar. Sport fishing, diving and snorkeling, in addition to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, complete the expedition for the whole family

17 THE HEIGHTS OF THE BAJÍO: BIKING, CLIMBING OR RAPPELLING A Sierra Gorda 400,000 hectares in five municipalities It has such a variety of ecosystems, altitudes and rainfall that it has been declared a biosphere reserve by unesco. THE SIERRA GORDA OF QUERÉTARO Stroll along old roads that will lead you to missions and pre-hispanic remains in one of the most beautiful and spectacular corners of Mexico. Ride bikes along mountain trails until you reach panoramas in which the sky and the earth merge together. Then head for Peña de Bernal a monolith as impressive as that of Gibraltar or the Sugarloaf where you can rappel or climb its 900-foot, 10-million year-old faces. It is the rustic Mexico only known by the most intrepid adventurers. 31

18 AdVENTURe destinations 3 1 mar de cortés 11 7 GOlfO DE México MAR CARIBE 13 ECOTURISMO Océano Pacífico Baja California 2 Chiapas 3 Chihuahua 4 Estado de México 5 Jalisco 6 Michoacán 7 Nuevo León 8 Oaxaca 9 Querétaro 10 Quintana Roo 11 San Luis Potosí 12 Veracruz 13 Yucatán visitmexico.com/adventure 33

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